Alexander Rankin | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Article

Alexander Rankin

Alexander Rankin, timber merchant, politician (b in parish of Mearns, Scot 31 Dec 1788; d at Liverpool, Eng 3 Apr 1852). Rankin became a clerk in the firm of Pollok, Gilmour and Co, Glasgow merchants who traded with the Baltic ports.

Rankin, Alexander

Alexander Rankin, timber merchant, politician (b in parish of Mearns, Scot 31 Dec 1788; d at Liverpool, Eng 3 Apr 1852). Rankin became a clerk in the firm of Pollok, Gilmour and Co, Glasgow merchants who traded with the Baltic ports. He was sent to New Brunswick in 1812 and opened the company's first branch in British North America at Gretna Green [Douglastown]. The company shipped timber to Britain, sold supplies to shipbuilders and lumbermen and thus became a bitter rival of Joseph Cunard, whose firm was established at Chatham, NB. A deeply religious man, Rankin was noted for his charitable work and his hard and ruthless business practices. He entered politics in 1827 and continued to represent Northumberland County in the House of Assembly until his death. He was a member of the executive council from 1847.